6.08.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
Both The Times and The Independent review the new book "Stonehenge" by Rosemary Hill, which explores the social history and differing perceptions of this famous ancient monument.
"A great strength of Hill's method is that she is by no means inclined just to laugh at what seem ludicrous beliefs. She carefully unpicks them, showing what made them attractive in their cultures, and how scholarly their adherents often were, apart from their brief descent into Stonehenge madness."
You can read an excerpt of the work, here. Hill's "Stonehenge" looks like a worthy new tome exploring this ever-popular monument (including modern Pagan interactions with Stonehenge). Release date in the UK is June 10th, and in America on November 15th.
Looking for Pagan music but aren't a fan of folk music, neo-medieval stylings, or darkwave? Then you might want to check out the latest offering from Jazz musician Jordi Rossy. His trio's new album is entitled "Wicca", and according to All About Jazz, it's "mesmerizing".
"Wicca is a largely ruminative album, Rossy somewhere on the piano spectrum between George Winston and his sometimes employer Mehldau ... Whether the piano is in the lead, organ droning behind, or organ leads, in churchy mode, with piano chords underneath, that sound is consistent and, at its best, mesmerizing. A comfort zone is established and observed, only breached noticeably on the title track, the CD's longest, adding trumpet and tenor sax and combining disparate elements of tempo and form into an intricate yet harmonious texture."
You can order the album from this web site.
Your Christian scare-mongering link of the week: beware of horoscopes (and palmistry, and Ouija boards).
"Just like the Ouija board, the horoscope can also be dangerous—a dangerous first step into the world of the occult. One woman, Barbara Gardner, writing in Today’s Christian Woman, explained how reading horoscopes sucked her into a dangerous pattern that led to astral projection—also known as “out of body experience”—palm reading, and fortune-telling. She ultimately attributed the breakup of two of her marriages to her obsession with occult activity."
Back! Back Rob Brezsny! Back into the pits of Hell with you and your ilk! Also, beware of "slutty" mermaids selling you coffee!
Are Pagans considered a part of the "religious left"? Pew Forum Senior Fellow in Religion and American Politics John Green seems to hint that we could be, if we wanted to.
"Attention has largely been focused on various kinds of Christians who hold these views, but it is important to remember that these groups extend to non-Christians as well, including believers in the Jewish community and people who are “spiritual but not religious.” There are progressive voices appearing in nearly every religious tradition."
Of course if Christians like Jim Wallis, who is regularly misrepresented as a liberal, get their way the "big tent" of the "religious left" wouldn't openly include the Pagans and other non-monotheistic outsiders that could embarrass him or moderate Democrats trying to win over "values voters".
Press profiling Pagans round-up! The Sault Star talks to author and Pagan Elizabeth Creith about her involvement in "flash fiction" and other artistic projects, Pennsylvania publication Voices talks to Art Shipkowski, a member of Ár nDraíocht Féin, at a Penn. State Pagan gathering, and The Shreveport Times talks to a Pagan husband and wife who run a local tattoo parlor called the Twisted Cauldron.
"The Clementses say opening Twisted Cauldron "is a 10-year dream." Knowing the previous tenants, Modern Primitives, B.J. said, the opportunity popped up and he jumped on it. "There isn't really a shop like this in the area, and privacy is a big issue," B.J. Clements said. "A lot of our success has to do with how we treat our customers," B.J. Clements said, adding one of the tenets of their Wiccan faith is "May you never hunger, May you never thirst." "I do commerce with all sorts of religions and denominations; it generally isn't an issue," he said of being Wiccan."
Did you get profiled recently in your local paper? Why not drop me a line! You too could be mentioned in my semi-regular round-up of Pagan press profiles.
In a final note, should you buy a Pan Flute? The answer may surprise you.
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: Astrology, books, Christianity, journalism, music, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Religious Left, Rosemary Hill, Stonehenge
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